The boy who dared - Susan Campbell Bartoletti.

~ by Abrah

• 8 stars
• Ages 12+
• Pages: 174

Well, as most of you should know I am an all out historical fiction fan. So this is one of the books that will always be a part of my library! The boy who dared is part biography, mixed with part fiction, mixed with part tragedy, mixed with part genius. But mostly genius!

Helmuth is a boy we should all aspire to be like. Nothing, and I mean nothing, can get in the way of what he believes in.

Hitler wasn't always notorious for murdering thousands of innocent people. Quite the opposite, he was a hero, Germany's savior. Almost all of the country loved him, and Helmuth was chief among them. But, he quickly comes to the realization that Germany's savior seems to be doing anything but saving them. When Helmuth's soldier brother secretly brings back a banned radio that brings Helmuth the truth about what really happening in the war Helmuth knows must do something! He stands up for the injustice he knows is swarming around him, and he won't let anything get in his way. He won't let the threat of death, betrayal, or pain get in his way, even to the point having to give the greatest sacrifice he can give.
Helmuth is the sort of boy I would love to know. He was courageous even in the face of certain defeat. When faced with the worst possible fate one might think of at that time he still put his friends, and even the man who betrayed him, before himself.

Helmuth Hubener

The author has a brilliant way of writing this novel. She darts back and forth between Helmuth's "present" state, and flashbacks of his life, and everything that brought him to where is at the opening of the story. It is obvious that books should get more and more interesting and intense as they progress and, I have to say that The boy who dared is one of the greatest examples of this. I felt the tension  grow as the story progressed, like no other book I have read. I can still vividly remember it even weeks after reading it.
Not to mention that Helmuth was an actual person, and the things he did to stand up for justice really happened. What a treat to know that such an amazing story was not fiction. It goes to show that God really is the master storyteller! No human can replicate the wonders that God writes.

***

Negative Elements: (none being best, 5 worst)

Profanity - none
Violence - 1

• There is a vague mention of torture, and of execution.

Romance of Sexuality - 0.5

• Helmuth's unmarried mother gets a new boyfriend. They quickly move in together.

Closing Comments:
In a generation where school shootings seem to be monthly events, ISIS thrives, abortion is daily becoming more acceptable, and being gay is suddenly beautiful, The boy who dared is a breathe of fresh air. Though Helmuth pays a high price for standing up for justice he never doubts what he did, and stands firm to the end. This is someone more people need to look up to!!